Re: What are the essential Blu-Rays that fix problematic DVDs?
 

Rambo 3 BD fixed the missing subtitle problem from it's last few DVD releases.

Re: What are the essential Blu-Rays that fix problematic DVDs?
 

I haven't upgraded my 2 disc LE yet since I'll be waiting for the longer cut. There's just so much footage that's otherwise missing (esp the windmill scene) that I can live with the DVD for now.

The old BR was anamorphic, but it was a terrible transfer (some folks believe it was an upconverted laserdisc transfer, which sucks of course, but at least it would automatically scale to the sides on a widescreen set). But otherwise, an incredible upgrade (and I only have the SD version).

Re: What are the essential Blu-Rays that fix problematic DVDs?
 

Should we even count titles that got simultaneous DVD upgrades? BR is great on BD, but it also got a corresponding DVD edition derived from the same transfers and containing the same bonus material. Some people newer to BD may have bought it at the time.

Re: What are the essential Blu-Rays that fix problematic DVDs?
 

Grumpy Old Men & Grumpier Old Men were both released in Full Screen on DVD, but got proper widescreen release on Blu. Presumed Innocent was non-anamorphic on DVD.

Austin Powers IMOM was released in 2:00:1 on DVD, but the Blu-ray got the original 2:35:1 theatrical ratio.

Primal Fear was non-anamorphic on DVD, but was replaced with a new anamorphic DVD the same day as the Blu came out. Same thing with Nixon.

Re: What are the essential Blu-Rays that fix problematic DVDs?
 

The Arrival (non-anamorphic DVD previously)
Waiting (the DVD transfer sucked as it didn't even take up 3GB, BD is dual-layered; enough said).

Re: What are the essential Blu-Rays that fix problematic DVDs?
 

I vote no...I think the discussion should remain with BD titles that are still only available in a crippled form on DVD, whether that is just a terrible looking anamorphic transfer, a non-anamorphic transfer, or a non-OAR presentation....

Re: What are the essential Blu-Rays that fix problematic DVDs?
 

I have every laserdisc edition of Blade Runner. (Literally, all of them.) The first DVD was a new transfer, different from those used on laserdisc. Aside from being anamorphically enhanced, it had deeper black levels and richer colors, and was quite a bit sharper.

The DVD's problem was compression quality. It was one of the very first DVDs ever released. It took the studios a few years to get the hang of digital compression. That disc looks pretty atrocious on a large screen these days.

However, Warner did remaster the movie and re-released it on DVD in 2006, prior to the Final Cut or Blu-ray (which came at the end of 2007). It was a no-frills disc with just the Director's Cut in a new transfer.

http://www.dvdempire.com/Exec/v4_ite...tem_id=1188823

Re: What are the essential Blu-Rays that fix problematic DVDs?
 

I'll throw in a vote for '2010'. The DVD is non-anamorphic letterbox and looks pretty cruddy. To my knowledge, it was never re-released on DVD. But a Blu-ray was released last year.

The movie is still grainy and murky, of course. That's just the style it was shot in. Nonetheless, the Blu-ray is a huge improvement over the DVD.

Re: What are the essential Blu-Rays that fix problematic DVDs?
 

I agree, that's what I was thinking. Sure it would be great to have the very super duper best version of people's favorites such as Blade Runner, Matrix or Gladiator, but their last DVD versions were excellent, so I'm not really interesting in finding out about those.

Re: What are the essential Blu-Rays that fix problematic DVDs?
 

Great info there, I had the first DVD version for a while then sold it when the SE was first rumored and went without on DVD until the big set was released. In the meantime I had the Criterion CLV and the DC CAV to hold me over.

This is at the top of my list of planned upgrades.

Re: What are the essential Blu-Rays that fix problematic DVDs?
 

Iam not sure that Austin powers would fall into that catagory though.
(dont get me wrong it annoyed the heck out of me not having theatrical aspect ratio) It was Director Jay Roach's decision to have it be in the 2:00:1
aspect instead of the 2:35:1 theatrical aspect ratio seen in theatres.

just glad that he decided to revert back to the OAR for the bluray release.

Re: What are the essential Blu-Rays that fix problematic DVDs?
 

The first thing I thought of was Lola Montes, if only because the Fox-Lorber DVD is one of the worst ever (I'm not a huge fan of the movie). The Criterion BD reportedly looks and sounds extremely good.

Re: What are the essential Blu-Rays that fix problematic DVDs?
 

The Blu's aren't amazing, but due to the change in aspect and the obvious upgrade in quality from DVD to Blu it makes them look so much nicer. (And if you know where to look, the blus are quite cheap from time to time as well)

Re: What are the essential Blu-Rays that fix problematic DVDs?
 

A few more that provided fixes:

A Bridge Too Far
Dirty Dozen (so-so transfer but still an improvement over the VHS quality DVD)
Enemy Of The State

Another in need of a widescreen release:

Can't Buy Me Love

Re: What are the essential Blu-Rays that fix problematic DVDs?
 

From Dusk 'til Dawn (Canada)
The Nightmare Before Christmas

Both replaced non-anamorphic versions.

P.S. - be careful with the imports of Bound. I've read the transfers are just SD upscales. I'm waiting for a Region A release.

Re: What are the essential Blu-Rays that fix problematic DVDs?
 

Again, there was a simultaneous DVD re-release with the Blu-ray that was anamorphic, so it doesn't really fall into the scope of what the original poster is looking for.....ONLY films that are done right on BD that are still not available "correctly" one way or another on DVD to this day....

Re: What are the essential Blu-Rays that fix problematic DVDs?
 

and as a reversal in which DVDs are better than the Blu rays, can anyone confirm it with these titles:

GLADIATOR
WATCHMEN (Director's Cut) - I have heard this Blu Ray being very problematic on Samsungs, but what about other players?

Re: What are the essential Blu-Rays that fix problematic DVDs?
 

Let's not go that far with it...yes, the BD has some visual issues and is disappointing in relation to other BD releases, but it is still superior in every way to any of the DVD releases....
The complaints against this one (and the Star Trek catalog titles) all depend on the frame of reference people are using....for high definition, they can (and should) look better than they do, however that does not then mean that the DVDs are better....

I haven't heard about any specific problems, and had no issues at all with this one on a PS3....maybe the "Maximum Movie Mode" the disc offered (being an advanced feature) meant Samsung needed to put out a firmware upgrade to get everything running correctly on their older machines perhaps?